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The Illinois Driving Test Cheat Sheet: Key Numbers & Rules to Pass in 2025

Your Illinois driving test is just around the corner. You've practiced, you've read the "Rules of the Road," and now it's time for a final, focused review. This guide is your ultimate "cheat sheet"—not for cheating, but for cementing the most critical information in your mind before the Secretary of State (SOS) examiner gets in your car.

Use this quick-reference guide to sharpen your knowledge of the key numbers, laws, and maneuvers that will demonstrate you are a safe, confident, and well-prepared driver.

The Illinois Maneuvers: What You MUST Master

Your road test will include specific maneuvers to assess your control of the vehicle. These are performed on public roads.

  • Three-Point Turn (Turnabout):
  • The Goal: Turn the vehicle around in a narrow space, typically on a residential street.
  • Execution: The key is observation and control. Signal your moves, check for traffic constantly, and complete the turn in three smooth, deliberate movements.
  • Hill Parking:
  • The Goal: Show you know how to secure the vehicle on an incline.
  • Uphill with a Curb: Turn wheels Away from the curb (think "Up, Up, and Away").
  • Downhill with a Curb: Turn wheels Toward the curb.
  • No Curb (Uphill or Downhill): Turn wheels Toward the shoulder of the road.
  • Starting and Stopping:
  • Execution: Accelerate smoothly and brake gradually. Abrupt starts and stops show a lack of control. Make sure every stop at a sign or light is complete—no "rolling stops."
  • Lane Changes:
  • The Method: Always use the "Signal, Mirror, Head Check" method. Signal your intention, check your rearview and side mirrors, then perform a quick head check over your shoulder to see your blind spot before moving over.

Note on Parallel Parking: While it is listed as a potential maneuver in the "Rules of the Road," most SOS facilities in Illinois do not test parallel parking during the standard road test. Focus on the maneuvers listed above.

The Numbers Game: Critical Illinois Figures

Knowing these numbers by heart shows the examiner you've done your homework.

Speed Limits (Unless Posted Otherwise)

  • City/Town Areas: 30 mph
  • Alleys: 15 mph
  • School Zones: 20 mph (on school days between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. when children are present). This is a zero-tolerance zone for speeding.
  • Highways with four lanes: 65 mph
  • Interstates and Tollways: 70 mph

Critical Distances

  • Signaling a Turn (City): Signal continuously for at least 100 feet before turning.
  • Signaling a Turn (Rural): Signal continuously for at least 200 feet before turning.
  • Following Distance: Maintain a minimum three-second following distance in good, dry conditions. Increase it significantly in rain or snow.
  • Parking from a Fire Hydrant: Do not park within 15 feet.
  • Parking from a Stop Sign or Crosswalk: Do not park within 20 feet.

Crucial Illinois Road Rules

These are the laws that keep everyone safe and are a major focus for examiners.

Scott's Law: The "Move Over" Law

This is one of the most important traffic laws in Illinois. When you approach any stationary emergency vehicle or any vehicle with its hazard lights flashing (police, fire, tow truck, disabled car):

  • You must slow down.
  • You must move over a lane, if it is safe to do so.
  • Failure to do so is a serious violation and an automatic fail on your test.

Right-of-Way and Intersections

  • Complete Stops: Your car must come to a full, complete stop behind the white stop line or crosswalk.
  • Four-Way Stops: The first vehicle to stop is the first to go. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
  • Pedestrians: You must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
  • Turning Left: You must yield to all oncoming traffic before making a left turn.

School Buses

  • You must stop before meeting or overtaking a school bus loading or unloading passengers on a two-lane road.
  • You do not need to stop on a four-lane road if you are traveling in the opposite direction from the bus.

Automatic Fails: Instant Test Enders

Avoid these critical mistakes at all costs. Making one of these will end your test immediately.

  • Violation of Scott's Law.
  • Disobeying any traffic sign or signal.
  • The examiner having to intervene (verbally or physically).
  • Causing an accident, no matter how minor.
  • Any action considered reckless or dangerous.

Use this sheet to build your final layer of confidence. You've done the work, you've practiced the skills. Now go show the examiner the safe, knowledgeable Illinois driver you are. Good luck!